Trump Administration Investigates 13 States Over Abortion Coverage Mandates
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β’The Trump administration launched investigations on March 19, 2026, into 13 states requiring health insurance to cover abortion, citing violations of the Weldon Amendment.
β’Targeted states include California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington, most with Democratic governors.
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HHS Civil Rights Director Paula M. Stannard stated the probes address states' disregard for protections allowing health entities to opt out of abortion coverage on conscience grounds.
β’New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called it a 'fishing expedition wasting taxpayersβ money' while defending state reproductive policies.
β’ AMA Board Chair Dr. Aizuss testified before Congress on March 20, 2026, highlighting financial challenges for physician practices impacting patient access to care nationwide.
β’ He identified market consolidation, inadequate payments, prior authorization burdens, coverage instability, and workforce shortages as drivers of rising costs and longer waits.
β’ Recommendations include prior authorization reform, restoring physician-owned hospitals, addressing physician shortages, and ensuring Medicaid sustainability amid changes.
β’ A new KFF survey from February-March 2026 shows 23 million ACA marketplace enrollees facing higher premiums after failed bipartisan subsidy extensions, forcing cuts to necessities.
β’ Orlando resident Priscilla Brown, 48, rations Type 2 diabetes insulin to half or third doses or skips it entirely to manage costs despite insurance.
β’ 75% worry about affording emergency care or hospitalization; 70% blame insurers 'a lot,' over half fault Republicans, Trump, and pharma companies.
β’ The California Medical Association strongly opposes a proposed statewide ballot initiative that would strip billions of dollars from vital community health centers.
β’ The measure threatens funding for essential services provided by health clinics serving underserved populations across California.
β’ CMA urges physicians and stakeholders to mobilize against the 'dangerous' proposal to protect community health infrastructure.
β’ CMS actuaries forecast U.S. health spending at $5.3 trillion in 2024, outpacing economic growth to hit 20% of GDP by 2033.
β’ Projections highlight unsustainable trajectory for national health expenditures.
β’ Policymakers face pressure to address cost drivers in insurance, drugs, and services.
β’ Democrats laying groundwork for major U.S. health care reforms amid political shifts in Washington.
β’ NIH's Bhattacharya commits to full budget spending; top FDA official announces exit.
β’ Moves signal potential policy battles over research funding and regulatory changes.
β’ Researchers using AI analyzed death certificates and estimated 155,000 additional unrecognized COVID-19 deaths outside hospitals in 2020-2021, raising the official toll of 840,000 by 16%.
β’ The study compared symptomology of hospital deaths with those outside care, highlighting dramatic disparities in uncounted fatalities nationwide.
β’ This undercounting underscores ongoing challenges in pandemic mortality tracking and public health surveillance across the U.S.
β’ Heartland Forward-commissioned research released March 19 reveals broad U.S. consensus on maternal health priorities and actionable steps forward.
β’ Conducted in Bentonville, Ark., the poll finds Americans ready to address maternal care gaps nationwide.
β’ Results point to unified public support for policy and community interventions to boost outcomes.
β’ Johnson & Johnson has received FDA approval for a new psoriasis treatment pill, expanding therapeutic options for patients with the chronic skin condition.
β’ The United States smoking rate has quietly reached a historical low, reflecting decades of public health efforts and tobacco control policies.
β’ These developments represent significant milestones in pharmaceutical innovation and public health outcomes across different therapeutic areas.
β’ A STAT national survey reveals NIH funding interruptions are causing layoffs, lab closures, and driving early-career scientists away from research careers due to federal budget and priority changes.
β’ Harvard researcher Josiemer Mattei had her diabetes prevention trial in Puerto Rico terminated in May 2025 when the administration cut over $2.8 billion in grants across the university, forcing her to scramble to relocate the study to avoid losing patients and data.
β’ The NIH remains committed to fully spending its 2026 budget but lags significantly behind prior years in grant awards and disbursements, with researchers reporting taking 95% pay cuts to avoid staff layoffs.
β’ State officials are warning that spring break 2026 travel season could facilitate the spread of measles across the United States as travelers move between regions with varying vaccination rates.
β’ Health authorities are concerned about potential measles transmission during the high-travel period, with implications for public health preparedness and disease surveillance.
β’ The warning underscores ongoing challenges in maintaining herd immunity and controlling vaccine-preventable diseases during major travel seasons.
β’ Trump 2.0 policies terminated or overhauled HHS advisory committees, including ACIP with all members replaced in January 2026 by RFK Jr., leading to weakened hepatitis B and COVID-19 vaccine recommendations.
β’ NIH advisory councils have not met, with the director's committee disbanded for over a year; USPSTF has not met since March 2025.
β’ Senator Murray criticized leadership for prohibiting NIH grant processes; new ACIP includes controversial figures like an Alzheimer's patient from the withdrawn aducanumab trial.